Circuit-interrupter



J. 'SLEPIAN.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1917.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

lNVENTOR J55 @pl; 5/30/00 ATTORNEY W c-ZU UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH SLEIEZ'AN, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN ELECTRIC &MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OR TO WESTINGHOUSE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Application filed September 7, 1917. Serial No. 190,124.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnri-i SLEPIAN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circuit-Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circult interrupters and particularly tointerrupters 0f the quick-acting type.

One object of my invention is to provide means for quickly deenergizingthe holding electromagnet of a circuit interrupter under predeterminedconditions.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a device of theabove-indicated character that shall have no moving parts, be simple andinexpensive to construct and effective in its operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a holding device for adirect-c1113 rent cir'cuit interrupter that shall operate quickly topermit the interrupter to be tripped in a minimum period of time.

In practising my invention, I provide a toggle-operated circuitinterrupter, an electromagnet having an armature that is mounted on thetoggle mechanism or the interrupter for holding the same in its closedposition and asymmetric valves that are connected in circuit with theelectromagnet and are adapted to be extinguished for the purpose ofreleasin the interrupter, under predetermined con itions.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic view ofan electric circuit embodying my invention.

A direct-current generator 1 is operatively connected to a circuit 2through a circuitinterrupter 3 that is adapted to be tripped when ashort circuit obtains on the circuit.

The interrupter 3 comprises cooperating movable and stationary contactmembers 4 and 5, a toggle mechanism 6, a spring 7 for biasing the togglemechanism 6 to its open position and a magnetizable member or armature 8that is disposed on the toggle mechanism adjacent the point ofconnection between the links of the same. An elec'tromagnet 9 having awinding 10 is adapted to attract the magnetizable member 8 for thepurpose of holding the toggle device 6 and, conse uentl the interrupter3, 111 its .set or close position.

One terminal .of the Winding 10 is c0nnected to one conductor 11 of thecircuit 2 and the other terminal of the winding 10 is connected to thecathode 12 of an asymmetric valve 13. The anode 14 of the valve 13 1sconnected to the cathode 15 of an asymmetric valve 16 the anode 17 ofwhich is connected to the conductor 18 of the circult 2. A condenser 19is connected, from the conductor 11 of the circuit 2, to a point betweenthe anode 141 of the valve 13 and the cathode 15 of the valve 16. Areactor 20 is connected in circuit with the conductor 11.

Under normal conditions, current traverses the valves 13 and 16 and thewinding 10 to maintain the circuit interrupter 8 in its closed positionand to charge the condenser 19. However, when a short circuit obtainsupon the circuit 2, the quick change in voltage thereacross causes thecondenser 19 to discharge and, when the condenser 19 discharges, it soopposes the current traversing the valve 16 as to extinguish the arcmagnetizable member 8 and, consequently,

the toggle mechanism 6 to such position as to trip the interrupter 3.

I do not limit my invention to the particular device illustrated, asmany changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1-. In an electric circuit, the combination witha circuit interrupter and an electromagnet for holding the same in itsclosed position, of two mercury-arc valves connected in series with theelectromagnet across the circuit, anda condenser connected from thecircuit to a point between the valves whereby the arcs in the valves aresuccessively extinguished to quickly deenergizethe electroinagnet, underpredetermined conditions.

2. In an electric circuit, the combination with a circuit interrupterand an electromagnet for holding the same in its closed position, of twomercury-arc valves connected in series with the electromagnet across thecircuit, and a condenser connected from the circuit to a point betweenthe valves whereby the arcs in the valves are successively extinguishedto quickly denergize the electromagnet when the voltage of the circuitis suddenly. reduced a predetermined amount.

3. In an electric circuit, the combination with a circuit interrupterand an electromagnet for normally maintaining the same in its closedposition, of a mercury vapor valve connected in circuit with theelectromagnet, and means for extinguishing the arc in the valve when thevoltage on the circuit quickly drops a predetermined amount.

4. In an electric circuit, the'combination with a circuit interrupterand an electromagnet for normally maintaining the same in position, ofan asymmetric arcing valve connected in circuit with the electromagnet',and means for interrupting the arc of the valve to quickly deenergizethe electromagnet, under predetermined conditions.

5. In an electric circuit, the combination with a circuit interrupterand an electromagnet normally energized to affect the interrupter, of anasymmetric arcing valve connected in circuit with the electromagnet toactuate the interrupter under predetermined conditions.

6. In an electric circuit, the combination with an electromagnet, of twoasymmetric valves connected in series with the electromagnet, across thecircuit and a condenser connected from a point between the valves to thecircuit for extinguishing the arc in one of the valves, underpredetermined conditions.

7. Inan electric circuit, the combination with a circuit interrupter andan electromagnet for holding the same in its closed position, of twoasymmetric arcing valves connected in series with the electromagnet, andmeans for causing the arcs in the valves to be successively extinguishedto quickly denergize the electromagnet when a short circuit obtains onthe electric circuit.

8. In an electric circuit, the combination with a circuit interrupterand an electromagnet for holding the same in its closed position, of twoasymmetric arcing valves connected in series with the electromagnet, andmeans for causing the arcs in the valves .to be successivelyextinguished to quickly deenergize the electromagnet, underpredetermined conditions in the circuit.

9. In an electric system, the combination with main and auxiliarycircuits and a circuit interrupter for the main circuit, of an actuatingelectromagnet connected in the auxiliary circuit and an asymmetric valveconnected in circuit with the electromagnet to actuate the interrupterunder predetermined conditions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day ofAugust,

JOSEPH SLEPIAN.

